Be disability-confident and thrive

Launched in December, Thrive is a new committee with a mission to enable every employee to be their authentic self at work.

It’s a platform for employees to get together and share experiences of having or supporting someone with a physical or mental disability.

Thrive is a refreshing reminder that no one is alone.

It is estimated that a third of all employees in the UK have a disability or are close to someone who has one. It’s important that employees get the support they need, especially through tough times.

Rob Munns, European Affinity Partnership Manager, launched the committee as a way to address the stigma around disability: “It took 17 years of my professional working life to admit that I had a disability and to do something about it. Now I want to help others be more disability-confident by realising the strength in sharing their story.”

Thrive has already succeeded in creating a more open dialogue between employees and managers with the launch of the Wellness Passport. An entirely employee-led process, the Passport enables a constructive ongoing discussion around any adjustments that might be required to enable employees to reach their full potential.

Thrive member Shaun Ogden said: “I’ve had challenges and I wish someone would have approached me with a simple ‘let’s talk’. It’s not always easy to have those conversations, but after the first one it gets easier.”

Thrive hosts regular ‘Tea & Talk’ events and guest speaker seminars. Email Rob.Munns@ehi.com to join this growing employee-led support network or to set up a Thrive meeting in your department.